Homeschooling, historically viewed as an alternative education choice, is gaining wider acceptance, particularly in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand, where legal frameworks are well established. The future of this growing market hinges heavily on government regulations, with stricter frameworks potentially emerging in regions experiencing significant homeschooling growth.
Market Drivers. The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing social movements like school choice in the US (where approximately 3 million (6%) students are homeschooled) have fueled parental interest in alternative education options. Additionally, the number of homeschooled students has risen in the UK by 14% YoY in Autumn 2023 reaching 92,000 due primarily to philosophical and mental health reasons. Homeschooling is also rising in Australia with some media outlets reporting a 100% increase from 2019 to 2023. Additionally, parents are voicing dissatisfaction with traditional schools and are increasingly seeking personalized learning experiences tailored to their children’s needs, and seeing homeschooling as a viable alternative. Over the last few decades, the availability of digital learning solutions improved the homeschooling process, making it more accessible and efficient for parents to get started and execute home school education for their children.
Market Landscape. The Homeschool market caters to diverse learning needs by offering a variety of resources, including print and digital curriculum, comprehensive online platforms, and convenient "school-in-a-box" kits. Recently, as internet access improves globally, new homeschool hybrid models have emerged, blending elements of home and school-based learning, combining personalized learning from homeschooling with the social dynamics of traditional schools. The growing homeschooled population fosters the development of innovative organizations such as co-learning spaces and social clubs to address socialization and community needs.
The global education sector faces headwinds like teacher shortages and chronic absenteeism, which could further propel the growth of homeschooling. As the market evolves, new solution providers and models will emerge to address the diverse and expanding needs of homeschooling families.
